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Col. John Waddy OBE

Discussion in 'WWII Obituaries' started by GRW, Oct 6, 2020.

  1. GRW

    GRW Pillboxologist WW2|ORG Editor

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    "17th June 1920- September 27th 2020
    Colonel Waddy had a distinguished career in the British Army spanning 35 years.
    Descended from a long line of Army officers it was natural that he joined his family’s regiment - the Somerset Light Infantry, and was posted in July 1939 to the 2nd Battalion then serving in India. After nearly two years soldiering in the Raj, and keen for more adventure, he volunteered for the 151 British Parachute Battalion (later renumbered as 156) which was established in India in 1941.
    Parachuting was rather rudimentary in India in these early days. Shortly after qualifying he was seriously injured while exiting an aircraft on a parachuting exercise which resulted in him being in a coma for 3 days.
    After relocation to the Middle East and then Tunisia, 156 Battalion and Brigade HQ formed the lead elements in the capture of the port of Taranto in September 1943. Facing a skilful German rearguard action they spent several weeks advancing north east, first to Bari and then Foggia.
    In October ’43 he was promoted as Major and commanded B Coy 156 Bn at Arnhem, where he was wounded in fighting at Johanna Hoeve woods (September ’44). He was subsequently wounded twice more while at a Main Dressing Station and eventually taken prisoner. In Spring 1945 he was liberated by General Patton’s army from Stalag VIIA in Bavaria and was able to return to the UK to marry Ann."
    www.paradata.org.uk/people/john-waddy
     
  2. bronk7

    bronk7 Well-Known Member

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    coma for 3 days!..that, also, is not too common ....I guess he bopped his head--while ''''exiting''''---how so??
    ..if you are delirious/etc while falling, then that's another problem
    ...now that the article mentions it, I would think parachuting was not that ''easy'''.....
     

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